The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) was awarded a $704,514 Project Grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). This 5-year longitudinal study aims to compare shoulder mechanics and soft-tissue health outcomes for patients receiving different surgical techniques to reconstruct acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries, which are common among young athletes. The study will evaluate three groups receiving: 1) coracoclavicular reconstruction alone with bone tunnels, 2) combined coracoclavicular and AC reconstruction with bone tunnels, and 3) combined reconstruction without bone tunnels. Advanced imaging techniques will be used to assess shoulder function and tissue integrity over time. The goal is to identify the optimal surgical approach that best restores shoulder biomechanics and soft-tissue health, informing the gold-standard treatment for this prevalent and potentially debilitating injury.
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